Card Factory reports strong sales performance

Underlying group sales growth was 6.7% on the basis of an equivalent number of trading days, while total reported sales growth reached 6.1%.

During the period, Card Factory continued to expand its store network with 30 net new UK stores and is on track for its target of 50 openings for the full year. At the period end, the company had 895 UK stores and said it is looking to open a growing number in retail park locations.

The company also launched a first ‘trial’ store in the Republic of Ireland last month.

Karen Hubbard, Card Factory’s chief executive, said: “It is pleasing to report that the strong sales performance highlighted in our Q1 announcement has continued into the second quarter, delivering a very good first half both in terms of overall and like-for-like store sales.

“Our store expansion programme remains on track and we are pleased with the performance of this year’s openings, including strong sales from the increased proportion of openings in retail parks.”

Card Factory is continuing to expand its range of card and non-card products available on its websites, both personalised and non-personalised, as it aims for a significant increase in its share of this segment of the market.

Digitally native competitors and demanding customers are forcing a new perspective in retail. AI and machine learning can help you step up to the challenges; and some ‘small and beautiful’ solutions can increase your conversion rates within just a few weeks.